Spectator Who Threw Bottle at Mathieu van der Poel During Paris-Roubaix Hands Himself In to Police
The incident, which occurred on Sunday as van der Poel rode towards his third consecutive victory, has raised serious concerns regarding spectator safety in professional cycling
In a shocking turn of events during the prestigious Paris-Roubaix cycling race, a spectator who threw a water bottle at Dutch champion Mathieu van der Poel has turned himself in to local authorities.
According to reports from Belgian media outlet Nieuwsblad, the unidentified man approached police in West Flanders on Monday morning, expressing remorse for his actions. The incident took place on the Templeuve sector of the race, with approximately 30 kilometers remaining, when the full water bottle struck van der Poel in the face.
In a post-race interview with Sporza, van der Poel did not mince words, labeling the act as “attempted manslaughter.” He emphasized the potential dangers of such reckless behavior, stating, “It was a full bidon, and it hurt a lot. If I take that bidon on my nose, it's broken.”
Van der Poel's concerns extend beyond personal injury; he urged for accountability, saying, “Hopefully, the police can identify the man because there has to be a trial for this. If the UCI doesn't take action, then we will do it with the team.”
The incident occurred during a fiercely competitive race where van der Poel ultimately finished 1 minute and 18 seconds ahead of defending Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar. Pogacar, who was making his debut at Paris-Roubaix, had been closely trailing van der Poel until a crash and subsequent mechanical issues hindered his performance.
Despite facing challenges, including a puncture on the run-in to Roubaix, van der Poel showcased his resilience with a swift bike change, allowing him to secure his place in cycling history. With this victory, he joins the ranks of Octave Lapize and Francesco Moser as the only riders to win Paris-Roubaix three times in a row.